Coix lacryma-jobi aka Job's Tears
Taxonomy
Job's Tears, also known as Adlay or Adlay millet, is a tall, strongly tillering grass that grows 1-3 meters tall. It is a perennial tropical plant that belongs to the Poaceae (grass family) and is native to Southeast Asia. The plant has two main varieties, one wild and one cultivated. The wild variety has hard-shelled pseudocarps used as beads for making prayer beads, rosaries, necklaces, and other objects. The cultivated variety is harvested as a cereal crop and used for medicinal purposes in parts of Asia. Job's Tears has naturalized in the southern United States and is also grown as an ornamental plant in tropical to temperate areas. It was once widely cultivated as a cereal in India before corn became popular. It has a higher protein to carbohydrate ratio than any other cereal and is viewed increasingly as a potential energy source. In the Cherokee Nation and Eastern Band of Cherokee, the beads of Job's Tears are used in personal attire.
Common names
Job's Tears, Adlay, Adlay MilletHow to care for Job's Tears
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Job's Tears is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Job's Tears should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Job's Tears loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Job's Tears requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Adlay is always in the right place to thrive.
Toxicity
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
Region of origin
Job's Tears’s native range is E. Asia - E. India.
More info:
Wikipedia
